Preventative Semi Truck Maintenance

For semi truck owners and operators, keeping their trucks running smoothly for miles is a basic requirement. When a truck is in the shop, the operator loses money as long as they can’t use the truck for their work. No vehicle is completely free of issues, but there are some things you can do in terms of preventative maintenance to reduce the risk of a breakdown and to keep your truck out of the service shop.

At Debary Trucks, we know that you want your investments to give good returns. In that spirit, we’ve put together this guide to help you get the most out of your semi trucks. Sometimes the best way to fix a problem is to solve it before it becomes a big problem. Read on to learn more or visit our dealership in Sanford, Florida, where our friendly staff will happily answer your questions.

Oil Changes

Whether you’re a commercial driver or not, you should already know that it is important to check and change your engine oil regularly. Examining the oil level and quality before every trip will also give you a good idea about the general health of your engine. This is true whether you’ve got a brand new semi truck or a used machine that has had a lot of repair work. Heavy-duty vehicles need a lot of oil to keep them from overheating or experiencing serious mechanical issues.

Radiator Checks

When it comes to helping your semi truck stay cool, your radiator is the real hero. Before you head out, check that your radiator has enough fluid. It’s simple enough to check and level it off, so take a moment to ensure that there are no leaks. If you find a leak, get your truck repaired or serviced immediately. Don’t take it on a trip with a radiator leak as your engine will surely and seriously overheat.

Tire Pressure

The correct tire pressure gives you better fuel efficiency and less wear on the tires themselves, leading to more overall efficient operation. Semi trucks have quite a few wheels, which are an investment that can be saved with a simple pressure gauge. Different trucks and tires will have different pressure requirements. Simply check the psi printed on your tire or go to the manufacturer’s website for complete information.

Fuel Vents

Semi trucks can stand around by their lonesome for days on end when not in use. Before you take it out again, make sure that no pests and vermin have made their home in your fuel vent. This is a simple enough step and if you skip it, you’ll end up with inaccurate fuel readings or even performance dips.

Check Brakes

Faulty brakes are no good for any vehicle but for your heavy duty semi truck with an impressive and heavy load, it could spell a big disaster. You can’t afford to be in a situation where your brakes do not respond properly. Be sure to get your brakes checked by a mechanic regularly and be on the alert for any squealing sounds or vibrations that occur when braking. Have these issues looked at immediately.

Suspension Safety

A healthy suspension helps to extend the life of your semi truck by elimination shocks and vibrations that can lead to bigger problems in the long run. A good suspension system also provides you more comfort when you drive, which is important for long trips. For good results, let our experts spruce the shocks, cabin air springs, chassis air springs and anti-vibration components of your vehicle.

Clean Glass

Roads and constructions sites aren’t the cleanest of places and can quickly coat your windshield and mirrors with dirt. Always clean these before heading out, as visibility keeps both you and your truck safe. If there are any chips or cracks, get your truck serviced. A small chip is cheaper to fix than repairing the entire windshield.

Scheduled Maintenance

While you might be able to take care of any small problems that arise from time to time, getting your semi truck serviced by trained mechanics will greatly extend your truck’s lifespan. They have a greater knowledge of what needs regular maintenance to keep working well and can preemptively solve your problems.

Though it might sound like a lot of work, taking care of problems before they arise will help you get more out of your semi truck. If you set a routine, it will soon become a habit and will become easier to do. To learn more tips and tricks, or to check out new or used semi trucks, come to DeBary Truck Sales in Sanford, Florida. We are proud to serve the people of Florida and Atlanta, Georgia.